The Department of Health announced that a 29-year-old woman was arrested in an industrial building in Lai Chi Kok. She was suspected of not being a registered dentist and was engaged in teeth bleaching or teeth whitening procedures that are part of dental practice. The police also seized tools and drugs used for teeth whitening at the scene.
The Department of Health said that the updated definition of “engaging in dental practice” in the Dentists Registration Ordinance will take effect from New Year’s Day this year, clearly stipulating the services that must be provided by registered dentists. Schedule 2 of the Ordinance clearly stipulates that only registered dentists can provide the following services to another person:
Perform teeth bleaching or teeth whitening procedures;
Prescribe invisible braces;
Perform dental veneer treatments.
The spokesman said that the Department of Health had received complaints from the public earlier that a non-registered dentist was suspected of performing teeth bleaching or teeth whitening procedures in an industrial building in Lai Chi Kok. The department’s staff and the police took a joint operation yesterday (13th) afternoon. During the operation, a 29-year-old woman was arrested for practicing dentistry while not being a registered dentist. The police also seized tools and drugs used for teeth whitening at the scene.
The spokesman said that any person who is not a registered dentist who provides or attempts to provide the above services is committing an offence. If convicted by summary procedure, he may be sentenced to a fine at level 6 and imprisonment for three years, or if convicted by public prosecution procedure, he may be sentenced to imprisonment for five years. The Department urges the public to protect their personal health and not to visit unlicensed dentists for teeth bleaching or teeth whitening treatments. Before choosing dental services, the public can browse the “List of Registered Dentists” published online by the Dental Council to confirm the qualifications of the service provider. If in doubt, the public should avoid receiving such services for safety reasons.
Related topics:
